Benign Prostate Enlargement (BPH) and Androgenetic Alopecia have virtually identical hormonal and inflammatory components. As you likely know, Propecia (1mg, finasteride) is simply a lower dose version of Proscar, (5mg, finasteride) a drug that was approved in 1992 for prostate enlargement. Propecia’s eventual approval for the treatment of MPB came as an outgrowth of the research for finasteride’s use at treating BPH. The close association between BPH and MPB factors is further underscored by the more recent success of Avodart, (Dutasteride) as an even more effective treatment for hair loss versus Propecia. Avodart is a drug approved for BPH, its use for treating MPB, though highly efficacious, is considered off label.

      The following study shows that Curcumin, singularly administered had comparable effects to finasteride for treating BPH, while addressing additional inflammatory mechanisms such as TGF-B that have been conclusively linked with MPB. The doses used in this study were admittedly large, in that the human dosage equivalent would be about 3800 mg of straight Curcumin for a person weighing about 170 lbs. However Curcumin has been vastly improved upon, and currently available versions, specifically Super BioCurcumin have an increased bio-availability by a factor of 5, reducing the daily dose requirement for a 170lb person to about 800 mg, well within practical reach.

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Oct 22;15:380. doi: 10.1186/s12906-015-0825-y.
Inhibitory effect of curcumin on testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia rat model.
Kim SK, Seok H, Park HJ, Jeon HS, Kang SW, Lee BC, Yi J, Song SY, Lee SH, Kim YO, Chung JH
Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common male diseases, which is provoked by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen signals. Several studies showed that curcumin has various effects of prevention and treatment to diseases. We investigated whether curcumin may repress the development of BPH in male Wistar rats.

METHODS: 
Seven weeks male Wistar rats were and divided into 4 groups (normal group, BPH group, finasteride group, curcumin group; n = 8 for each group). In order to induce BPH in rats, rats were castrated and testosterone was injected subcutaneously everyday (s.c.,20 mg/kg). Rats in the curcumin group were treated 50 mg/kg, administered orally for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and their prostate and serum were analyzed.

RESULTS:
Compared to the finasteride group as positive group, the curcumin group showed similarly protective effect on BPH in histopathologic morphology, prostate volume. Results of immunohistochemistry and western-blot showed decreased expressions of VEGF, TGF-1. 

CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggested that curcumin inhibited the development of BPH and might a useful herbal treatment or functional food for BPH.

      “Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common male disease causing lower urinary tract distress in aging men. Several studies suggest that both BPH and MPB are multifactorial disorders, and it is well established, and universally accepted in the scientific community that DHT contributes to both the hyperplastic growth of prostate and the progressive miniaturization of the hair follicles seen in MPB.

      The underlying etiology of BPH and MPB has not been completely identified. Many researchers reported steroid 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone in serum into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in target tissue, as most important factor in current BPH and MPB treatment. DHT synthesized by steroid 5-alpha reductase increases as aging, hence, prostatic glands and hair follicles of aging man may be affected more by steroid 5-alpha reductase. Conventional steroid 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride and dutasteride, are fairly successful in the treatment of hyperplastic growth of prostate and MPB, however, these drugs were responsible for adverse effects, such as gynecomastia, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, dizziness, upper respiratory infections, headache, and chest pain. Such effects may limit the use of these conventional drugs for MPB and BPH, however, might be avoided by commonly used safe agents.

      Curcumin is widespread, inexpensive, and completely safe for human use. It is a polyphenolic natural compound from Curcuma longa, with diverse drug activities against aging related events, including dermatologic changes, retinal diseases, Parkinson’s disease (PD), renal antioxidative effects, ischemic oxidative damages in diverse organs, and cancers. Curcumin may facilitate degradation of androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer and MPB. Moreover, it was proven to be a potent TNF blocker, and alpha reductase inhibitor.

      Previous reports stongly indicated that curcumin may have protective role in BPH, however, effect of curcumin on BPH has not been investigated, which is responsible for the synthesis of DHT, an active metabolite of testosterone.” This study specifically investigated whether the curcumin has a protective on testosterone induced BPH rat model. The results speak for themselves; Curcumin in its least bio-available form conferred a protective effect, via identical and additional mechanisms, similar to the BPH and hair growth drug, finasteride.

      Given this study and prior data, there exists a clear rationale for using Curcumin as an intervention for MPB. 

      To replicate the doses used in this study, one 170 lb person would need to use 3800 mg of straight Curcumin, or 2- 400 mg capsules of Super BioCurcumin. This dosing ratio can be adjusted according to individual body weight. 

      When using Super BioCurcumin, we would highly recommend the concurrent use of Optimized Resveratrol, as this specific combination stimulated hair growth in balding men in research done in Italy.